Viscosimeter



W. J. ALBERSHEIM ET Al.

` Oct. 26 ,71926.

VIS COSIMETER Filed Dec. 23, 1925 flll`llllllllllllllllll,

Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

NITED STATES TENT FFICE.

,WALTER J. ALBERSHEIM AND HARVEY S. KONHEIM, F NEW YORK, N. Y.

VISCOSIMETER.

Application led December 23, 1925. Serial No. 77,284.

This invention relates more particularly to a class of testingapparatus.

Our invention has. for its object primarily .Y to provide an apparatusdesigned to be employed on motor vehicles and elsewhere for testing thelviscosity especially of lubricating oils to determine their merits in amanner whereby the testing process may be observed during the deliveryof the oils for use, though the apparatus may also be employed fordetermining the viscosity of other fluids as occasion requires, andwhich is of a form adapted to so control the flow of the fluid that itslviscous value may be effectually tested `throughout all stages of itsdelivery.

The invention consists essentially of means providing a passage forconveying under pressure an oil or` other fluid of undeterminedviscosity. The passage has a portion of restricted area whereby thefluid or oil will flow therethrough with relatively less resistance whentheir `viscous or lubricating components are at or less than a normalstandard of viscosity or lubricating value and for causing the flow ofthe fluid or oil lto be retarded by resistance when their viscous orlubricating components exceed the A further object' ofthe invention isto provide a viscosimeter of a. simple, eliicient and dura-bleconstruction which may be made of suitable material in any appropriatesize and shape.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention will. be hereinaftermore fully described with reference tothe accompanying drawin forming4 apart of this specification in whic similar characters of referenceindicate corresponding .parts in all the views, and will then -bepointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a fragmentary view showing part of a supportwith one form'of .our viscosimeter applied thereto. Fig' 2 isv anenlarged fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation and partlybroken away, taken longitudinally through the apparatus, and,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, part- Iy fragmentary and partly inelevation, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

The apparatus has a pipe 10 which serves as means to provide a passage11 of sufficient length and diameter for conveying a lubricating oil orother fluid whose viscosity is required to be tested. The pipe 10 hasits inlet 12leading from a tank, as 13, or other supply containerarranged for causing the fluid by gravitation to flow through .the pipeat a desired speed, or the fluid may may be discharged for use throughan output pipe, as 16. Interposed in the pipe 10 is a tube 17 having apassage of less diameter than the diameter of the passage 11 ofthe pipeto pro-- vide a restricted area, as 18, which serves as means to retardthe flow of fluid through the conveying passage 11 when its viscouscomponents exceed a normal standard of viscosity value, but when theviscous components of the fluid is at or less than anormal standard ofviscosity the restrictedarea is such that the fluid will flow more orless freely through the tube 17 according to its proportionateviscosity.

In order to cause the fluid to flow in the conveying passage 11 towardthe restricted area 18 at a uniform speed irrespective of the pressureunder which the fluid is delivered at the inlet 12, we providecontrolling means, as 19. This controlling means may be of any suitableform, though the means illustrated includes 'a casing 20 having anapproximately cylindrical side wall 21, and end plates, as 22, 23. Theinterior of the caslng is divided into two chambers 24, by a circularpartition, as 26, which extends between parts of the side wall 2l'inproximity to the end plate 23. In the central parts of the partition 26and the central part of the end wall 23 are alined bearings 27, 28, resectively. The

-casing 2O is interposed in t e pipe 10 bechamber 25 of the casingthrough two open- 1ngs 29, 30- which are provided in o posite parts ofthe upperA portion of the si e wall 21 of the casing so that the fluiddelivered into the inlet 12 of the pipe will flow into the chamber 25,and thence into the pipe for being forced to ow to the restricted area18. In the chamber 25 of the casing is a propeller or paddle wheel 31having a hub 32 held on a stud or short shaft 33 which is journaled inthe bearings 27, 28 of the end plate 23 and partition 26 of the casing10, and one end of the stud 33 extends beyond the bearing 27 of thepartition 26 into the chamber 24. The hub 32 of the propeller 31 ispreferably of a circular shape and of a diameter so that when revolvedits outer peripheral edge will move on a plane corresponding to nearlythe center of the passage 11 of the pipe 10. Ex-

tending from spaced parts of the entire outer peripheral edge of the'hub 32 arev blades 34 which are of lengths so that their free endsmovably contact with the inner face of the side wall 21 of the chamber25, and each of these blades is curved in `a direction away from theinlet 12 of the pipe for allowing the iuid flowing into the chamber 25through its opening 28 to contact the blades successively for drivingthe propeller from left to right and which in turn will cause the fluidto How from the chamber 25 again into the pipe 10 for being forced toflow toward the restricted area 18 of the pipe. ,On the protruding endof the stud 33 is a bevel gear 35 which is in mesh with a bevel pinion36 held at one end of a shaft 37 having its end journaledA in boresprovided in opposite parts of the side wall 21 of the casing. Held onthe other end of the shaft 37 is a gear 38 which meshes with a pinion 39held on another shaft 40 having its ends also journaled in boresprovided in opposite parts of the side wall of the casing. The shaft 40carries a governor 41 which may be of any preferred or well known typehaving the spaced sleeves 42, 43. One of the sleeves is fixed, at 44, onthe shaft 40, and the-other sleeve is slidable on the shaft. On oppositeparts of these sleeves are fastened, at 45, the ends of two springstrips46, 47 having on their central parts -two suitable weights 48, 49 forregulating as is incident to the operation of such controlling devicesthe speed of operation of the propeller 31, as will be later explained.Serving as means to further check the speed of rotation of the shaft 40and the governor 41 when driven at intervals faster than a given speed,on the sleeve'42 and surrounding the shaft 40 is a. disk, as 50, forbeing revolved with the rotation of the shaft. On art of the inner faceof the side wall 21 of t 4e casing 20 is a. lug 51, to this lug -ispivoted, at 52, one end and l of@ lever or bar 53 which is disposed sothat its other end terminates above the disk 50. On the underside of thefree end of the pivoted lever 53 is a brake shoe or cushion 54 which maybe of leather, metal or rubber for being frictionally engaged by thedisk. To the central part of the lever is held, at 55, one end of aspring, as 56, having its other end held at 57 to the part of the sidewall of the casing under the lever, and this spring is tensioned foryieldingly holding the lever in a downward position normally in spacedrelation to the disk 50. The controlling means 19 is operated forproducing a uniform speed of iow of the fluid in the pipe 10 toward therestricted area 18 by the propeller 31 being operated by the fluidflowing from the inlet of the pipe 10 into the chamber 25 of the casing20 through the opening 29, as above explained. With the operation of thepropeller the stud 33 will be driven. The bevel gear 35, bevel pinion36, shaft 37, gear 38 and pinion 39 will then be operated to drive theshaft 40. With the driving of the shaft 40 the governor 41 will operateaccording to the speed of rotation of the shaft by the weights 48, i

49 moving centrifugally away from the shaft 40 which in turn will causethe spring strips 46, 47 to expansively move yieldingly from the shaft.The\sleeve `42 will also slidably move on the shaft 40 v'toward thesleeve 43 as is usual with the operation of "governors of this class,and the disk 50 will be likewise moved toward the friction cushion 54.The governor 41 thus operating in the well known fashion will serve tocontrol the speed of operation of the proeller 31 and its operativegearing for causlng the iuid to be delivered from the chamber 25 of thecasing 20, through the opening 30 into the pipe 10 and to cause thefluid to flow at a uniform speed to the restricted area irrespective ofthe pressure of the Huid,

at its source of su ply and irrespective of the density or ui ity of theiuid. However, should the pressure of the fluid at the source of supplybe excessive, the speed of rotation oft e propeller -will still belimited by the governor operating, as explained, for causing the disk5() to be moved by the slidable movement of the sleeve 42 intofrictional engagement with the cushion 54 which 1n turn will by theyielding force of the lever 53 and the tension of the spring 56 checkthe speed of operation of the governor to such extent that the operativeparts of the controlling means 19 will operate the propeller at a givenspeed.

For the purpose of measuring or testing `the viscosity of the uid on thepipe 10 between trolling means 19 is a manometer or pressure registeringdevice 58. The manometer may be of any preferred or well known type,

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the restricted area 18 and the conf' such as the form illustrated whichhas the goose-neck or approximately N-shaped tube 59 to provide its twospaced vertically disposed members 60, 61 and the inclined connectingmember, as 62. The member of the tube 59 leads from the passage 11 ofthe delivery pipe 10 near the restricted area 18,

and the member 61 of the tube leads into of this type. The viscosimetermay be,

mounted on any suitable support for testing the viscosity of fluids, andWhen employed for testing the viscosity of lubricating oil the devicemay be mounted on the dash board, as A, of an automobile or other motorvehicle by the end plate 23 of the casin 2O of the controlling means 19being bolte as at 66, or otherwise secured to the dash board in themanner shown in Fig. 1, andso that the scale 64 and pointer 65 of theregistering device 58 will be exposed to View.

When oil or fluid is being tested by the apparatus, and should theviscous components of the fluid be less than its normal standard ofviscosity value 'the fluidity of the fluid Will be such that it Willfreely flow through the restricted area Without perceptible resistance,andwithout causing the air in the pressure tube 59 of the manometer 58to be perceptibly affected. The pointer of the manometer will thenremain in its lowest position, as shown at B, Fig. 2, with relation tothe markings of the scale 64. llf the viscous components of the fluidare at or exceed its standard viscosity value a proportionate resistanceto its passage through the restricted area 18 of the ipe will occur anda portion of the fluid will accordingly flovs7 into the member 60 of thepressure tube 59 of the registering device 58. The air pressure createdthereby in the casing 63 of the registering device will cause thepointer 65 to move for indicating on the scale 64 the units of viscosityof the fluid. Moreover, by employing means to determine the heat of thefluid, especially a lubricating oil, its value or grade may be comparedat different temperatures and the lubricating Avalue of various fluidsmay be compared at the same temperatures.

In the foregoing description, We have embodied the preferred form of ourinvention, but We donot Wish to limit' ourselves thereto, as We areaware that modifications may be made therein Without departing from theprinciple or sacrificing an of the advantages of this invention, terefore, We reserve to ourselves the right to make such 'changes asfairlyv fall within the scope thereof.

Having thus4 described oui-invention, we

claim as nevi7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In aviscosimeter, in combination, means providing a passage for conveyingunder pressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity and the passage havinga portion of restricted area, means for controlling the speed of flow ofthe fluid in the passage to- Ward the restricted area, means forchecking said controlling means when operated in excess of a givenspeed, and means in the passage for measuring the pressurev of the fluidaccording to its rsistance to flow through, the restricted area.

. 2. In a viscosimeter, in combination, means providing a passage forconveying under pressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity, means in thepassage for retarding the flow of the fluid when of a viscosityexceedlng a given fluidity, means for control- 'ling the speed, of flowof the fluid in the passage toward said retarding means, means forchecking said controlling means When operated in excessof a given speed,and a pressure registering device in the passage for indicating theunits of viscosity of the fluid.

3. ln a viscosimeter, in combination, a pipe for conveying underpressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity, a tube interposed in l thepipe and having a passage of less diameter ,than the diameter of thepassage of the pipe for retarding the flow rof fluid when of a viscosityexceeding a given fluidity, means for controlling the speed of flow ofthe fluid in the pipe toward the retarding tube, and means on the pipefor measuring the pressure ofthe fluid'according to its resistance toflow through said retarding tube.

4. In a viscosimeter, in combination, a pipe for conveying underpressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity, a tube interposed in the pie and having a. passage of less diameter t an the diameter of thepassage of the pipe for retarding the flow of fluid when of a viscosityexceeding a given fluidity, means for controlling the speed of flow ofthe fluid in the pipe toward the retarding tube, and a pressureregistering device on the pipe for indicating the units of viscosity ofthe fluid.

5. vln a viscosimeter, the combination with means providing a passagefor conveying under pressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity and thepassage having a portion of' restricted area, of-a propeller operativeby ico the Huid during its flow toward the restrictled area, and meansfor regulating the speed of operation of the propeller to regulate thespeed of flow of the fluid.

6. lin aviscosimeter, the combination with means providing a passage forconveying under pressure a Huid of undetermined viscosity and thepassage having a portion of restncted area, of a propeller operative bythe fluid during its ow toward the vrestricted area, means forregulating the speed of operation of the propeller to regulate the speedof flow of the fluid, and means in the passage for measuring thepressure of the fluid according to its resistance to flow through therestricted area.

7. In a viscosinieter, the combination With means providing` a passagefor conveying under pressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity and meansin the passage for retarding the flow of the fluid when of a viscosityexceeding a given fluidity, of a propeller operative by the fluid duringits flow to\v ard the retarding means, means for regulating the speedof' operation of the propeller to regulate the speed of flow of thefluid, and means for checking said propeller when operated in excess ofa given speed.

8. In a viscosimeter, the combination with means providing a passagefour` conveying under pressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity andmeans in the passage for retarding the flow of the fluid when of aviscosity exceeding a given fluidity, of a propeller operative by thefluid during its flow7 to-v ward the retarding means, means forregulating the speed ofvoperation of the propeller to regulate the speedof flow of the fluid, means for checking said propeller when operated inexcess of a given speed, and a pressure registering device in thepassage for indicating the lunits ofgviscosity of the fluid.

9. In a viscosinieter, the combination With means roviding a passage forconveying un er pressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity and means inthe passage for retarding the flow of the fluid when of a viscosityexceeding a given fluidity, of a propeller operative by the fluid duringits flow toward the retarding means, gearing operatiwge by thepropeller, and means for regulating the speed of operation of thegearing and propeller to regulate the speed of flow of the fluid.

10. In a viscosimeter, the combination with means providing a passagefor conveying under pressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity and meansin the passage for retarding the flow of the fluid when of a viscosityexceeding a given fluidity, of a propeller' 4operative by V.the fluidduring its flow to- .Ward the retarding means, gearing operative by thepropeller, means for regulating the speed of operation of the gearingand propeller to regulate the speed of flow of the fluid, and means forchecking said gearing and propeller when operated in excess of a givenspeed.

11. In a viscosimeter, the combination with means providing a passagefor conveying under pressure a fluid of undetermined viscosity and meansin the passage for retarding the flow of the fluid When of a viscosityexceeding a given fluidity, of a propeller operative by the fluid duringits flow toward the retarding means, gearing operative by the propeller,means for regulating the speed of operation of the gearing and propellerto regulate the speed of flow of the fluid, means for checking saidgearing and propeller when operated in excess of a given speed, and apressure registering device in the passage for indicating the units ofviscosity of the fluid.

l2. In a viscosimeter, the combination With a pipe for conveying underpressure afluid of' undetermined'viscosity, a tube interposed in thepipe and having a passage of less diameter than the diameter of thepassage of the pipe for retarding the flow of the-fluid When of aviscosity exceedinga given fluidity, of a propeller for controlling thespeed of flow of the fluid in the pipe toward the retarding tube,gearing operative by the propeller, means for regulating the speed ofoperation of the gearing and propeller to regulate the speed of flow ofthe fluid, and means on the pipe for measuring the pressure of the fluidaccording to its esistance to flow through the retarding 13. In aviscosimeter, the combination with a pipe for conveying under pressure afluid of undetermined viscosity, a tube interposed in the pipe andhaving a passage of less diameter than the diameter of the passage ofthe pipe for retarding the flow of the fluid when of a viscosityexceeding a given fluidity, of a propeller for controlling the speed offlow of the fluid in the pipe toward the retarding tube, gearingoperative by the propeller, means for regulating the speed of operationof the gearing and propeller to regulate the speed of flow of the fluid,means for checking the gearing and propeller When operated in excess ofa given speed, and a pressure registering device on the pipe forindicating the units of viscosity of' the fluid.

This specification signed and witnessed this 22nd day of December, A. D.1925.

WALTER J. ALBERSHEIM. HARVEY S, K ONHEIM.

